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Editing has become as much a part of arrangement as instrument choice...I always make sure the edits are as done as possible and approved by the artist before we sit down to mix. I usually prefer two or three hours at the head of a mix alone, and then once the track is up and sounding close to what it should I'm very interested in comment, criticisms, concerns from the sofa.
I believe you HAVE to charge for the time you spend on a client's work. Once you give it away, or are too nice, you create expectations that do not help you in the long run. If you spring for shipping once because it's a hassle to invoice someone to send a cd via fedex, next time around they assume the shipping is part of your hourly rate and they don't need to reimburse you. Same with cd-rs...I buy Mitsuis at about a buck a piece, and clients either assume that they're free or think that they cost a nickel each. They're always amazed when I want to charge for this stuff.
Don't let your clients become accustomed to you taking advantage of yourself! It becomes a real problem in the long run. Be fair, be honest, but charge for your services what you feel they are worth, and do the best work you can.
Ten years into this gig (full time studio) I'm still finding that some folks will try to get out out of me everything they can, with no regard or respect for my time and effort. It's frustrating, but you've got to demand the respect, and compensation for the work is one part of that.
-tom
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